Apple Reportedly Working with Swatch to Release Line of Smartwatches

Could Apple be working with third party watch makers to release their own line of smart watches? According to sources speaking with VentureBeat, Apple is working with Swiss watchmaker Swatch to release a family of smart watches:

Apple has been working with at least one partner, Swatch, to release a line of smartwatches in variety of branded styles and price points, a source with knowledge of the situation tells VentureBeat.

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Apple and its partners will offer a family of smartwatches to suit all tastes “from geek to chic,” our source says.

Apple could also be working with other watchmakers, possibly Timex, for another line of smart watches. The source also mentions how Apple would most likely be also developing its own smart watch or lineup as well (no surprise here).

The report contradicts earlier stories where Swiss watch makers, including Swatch, said they weren’t pleased with Apple’s rumoured iWatch moniker, as that could cause confusion with their trademarked iSwatch name–but would not take legal action against the Cupertino company.

Earlier this month the Wall Street Journal reported Apple would launch a smart watch with various sensors to track health and fitness metrics, set to debut this fall; Re/code previously reported the iWatch is said to launch this October.

Other reports have detailed how Apple has been aggressively hiring experts for its supposed iWatch plans, most recently nabbing two former Nike FuelBand engineers.

It would be interesting if Apple had plans to develop something along the lines of CarPlay–but for third party smart watch manufacturers. Apple’s fall product lineup can’t come soon enough.

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